A World War II-era U.S. bomb unexpectedly exploded at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan, disrupting operations and forcing the cancellation of more than 80 flights. The incident caused significant damage to the airport's taxiway, creating a crater roughly 23 feet wide and 3 feet deep. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, though the explosion raised concerns over the continued presence of unexploded ordnance in Japan, decades after the war's end.
The bomb detonated Wednesday morning at around 8 a.m. local time. Miyazaki Airport, a regional hub located on Kyushu Island, immediately shut down operations. Footage from a nearby aviation school captured the moment the bomb exploded, sending debris and asphalt flying into the air. The explosion occurred just two minutes after an airplane had taxied near the area, according to local broadcaster MRT.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that more than 80 flights were canceled, affecting routes between Miyazaki and major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Hayashi assured the public that there was no threat of further explosions and that repairs to the taxiway were underway, with airport operations expected to resume by Thursday.
Miyazaki Airport in Japan was temporarily closed after an unexploded American Bomb from World War II was detonated near its runway, creating a crater 7 Meters. pic.twitter.com/cpEBGlxhgd — Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) October 2, 2024
The explosion occurred in an area steeped in wartime history. Miyazaki Airport, built in 1943 as a Japanese Navy flight training base, was used during the final stages of World War II for kamikaze pilot missions. These young pilots embarked on suicide attacks against Allied forces, making the area a target for U.S. air raids.
According to Japan's Ministry of Defense, the bomb was most likely dropped during one of these wartime raids. It is not uncommon for unexploded ordnance to be found across Japan, particularly in areas that were heavily bombed during the war. A representative from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force stated that the bomb was likely buried under the surface for nearly 80 years before its unexpected detonation.
Unexploded bombs are a persistent issue in Japan. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the Self-Defense Forces disposed of 2,348 bombs, weighing a total of 41 tons, according to the Reuters news agency. These wartime remnants are often unearthed during construction projects or by accident, as was the case in Miyazaki. Other unexploded ordnance has been discovered at the airport in recent years, including incidents in 2009 and 2011.
This particular explosion is one of several high-profile detonations of World War II-era bombs in recent years. In 2022, a bomb found in England exploded unexpectedly during an attempt to safely defuse it, highlighting the ongoing danger posed by these relics of past conflicts.
Japanese authorities are now investigating what triggered the sudden detonation of the Miyazaki bomb. Local officials had previously known about the potential presence of unexploded ordnance in the area, but the exact cause of this incident remains unclear.
As repairs continue, airlines affected by the cancellations include major carriers such as Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), with passengers left scrambling to rearrange their travel plans. The airport hopes to resume normal operations swiftly to minimize the disruption.
